Huanchaco, Peru
Sunday, January 17, 2016
It was Bryan's birthday on the 17th January - not long after we arrived.
There isn't really anywhere special in Huanchaco to go for a birthday treat so Jody decided to throw a surprise party for him instead.
Only problem was that she couldn't really prepare any food for it at home as he would twig something was going on.
Luckily, after a chat with some of the volunteers, they offered the Volunteer house where a few of them live, as a venue and the plan was made.
Bryan had decided to take a surfing lesson for his birthday - surprisingly enough he has never had a go at this before.
So off he went at 10am and he had planned to meet a few other volunteers there. But where were they? When we arrived there was no one to be seen.
Then they all jumped out from behind a curtain and sang happy birthday which was great.
surfer dude!
All the others had had at least one surfing attempt before - Melissa lived in Hawaii for a bit so we knew she would be good. But Bryan was the only surfing virgin there.
He didn't let himself down though, we have photographic evidence that he stood up and managed to ride a wave in to the shore. We have lots of other photographic evidence of less graceful attempts too but we won't talk about that!
So everyone played it fab and were very nonchalant with their 'see you later - have a nice birthday" goodbyes.
Bibi played it cool too. SHe sent a very believable message to him asking him to pop to the Volunteer House at 1:30 as a lady was bringing a load of stuff she was donationg for the swimming lessons.
So delaying lunch until after we had been to the Volunteer house, and dragging it out further by taking a stroll along the beach, we stopped at a shop because Jody said we needed to buy some coca cola - no way did she want to go out again for it later..... and we bumped into Mollie & Jeannie carrying a bucket load of homemade guacamole for the party.
party!
How were they going to explain it? easily it seems - never trust these two - they were far too convincing when they said " oh we are just going to take our lunch and sit on the beach. But we need to pop to the VH first - can we walk up with you?
Of course Bryan said.
We arrived at the VH at 1:30.
It was very quiet.
Bibi met us at the gate and let us in.
Oh thanks for coming Bryan she said. It wont take a minute but as the office is shut she is in here, leading us to the kitchen (there's another one not to trust when she tells you something - far too convincing these girls :-) )
Then as Bryan walked in about a dozen volunteers al shouted surprise and sang Happy Birthday to him.
speachless!
Jody has never seen Bryan so completely speechless as he was at that moment. It was definitely a first!
Then he twigged why we needed the coca cola and why Jeannie & Mollie were really carrying a bucket load of guacamole around with them. It was quite funny.
As Jody hadn't been able to make anything at home to contribute to this lunch, she had organised a birthday cake instead. A local lady named Monica had made it for her as she makes fabulous cakes to sell in one of the bars nearby.
Ever since she ordered it she dreaded walking passed her place as she always waved and said hola and Jody didn't want to give the game away by having Bryan ask how she knew her!
Well it all came together and the volunteers made it a truly lovely day for him.
Thank you everyone - can you make it next year too?
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